Solar Tiles Pros And Cons

Solar tiles also referred to as solar shingles look and function like typical roof tiles made of all-natural materials such as asphalt or slate. Solar shingles are a solar energy solution that didn’t emerge until rather recently. Of course, solar panels have been around for much longer but the concept of creating roof shingles with solar energy properties wasn’t introduced until 2005.
Considering that solar tiles haven’t been around for long, there are only so many manufacturers producing this product. If you are certain that solar tiles are what you’d like to have installed, you must find a reliable roofing contractor with experience in this type of roof installation. Installing solar panels properly differs from the process of installing solar tiles. Make sure the roofer is familiar with the installation of solar shingles in specific.

The Pros and Cons of Solar Tiles

Discussing the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Tiles

Before you hire a roofing contractor to install these energy conserving tiles, you should learn more regarding this roof type including all the advantages and disadvantages of this solar energy roofing solution. Knowing more about this option will help you make a well-informed decision and give you the ability to discuss it further with the professional roofers you plan to go through for your installation.

The Advantages

With solar shingles installed, you can save on energy costs significantly by generating anywhere from 20 to 50% of your home’s energy for free.

Solar tiles are a great alternative to solar panels which are much larger in size and are known for being rather unsightly. The tiles are much less noticeable since they are shaped and cut to the size of traditional asphalt shingles.

Your solar tile investment is one that will continue to save you money throughout its existence.

Since the solar tiles convert solar energy into electricity, it is stopping a majority of solar heat from entering the interior of the home. This helps the home stay cooler in warmer weather months.

It is easy for most professional roofers to install solar shingles since they are stapled down for security. The most difficult part of the installation is creating the right sequence and pattern out of the solar tiles within the space requirements that were set based on your roof’s dimension and size.

Installing solar tiles is less expensive than having solar panels. Solar tiles are one of the very few solar energy solution options available.

The Disadvantages

Solar tiles are less efficient than solar panels. Their smaller size has a lot to do with it as well as the location they’re placed in, the angle they’re facing, and the size of the area the solar tiles are covering. If your roofing contractor lacks experience with solar shingle installations, it is possible that you won’t get the most out of your solar tiles.

The installation of solar tiles requires specific training, the proper tools and equipment, and an adequate amount of experience dealing with solar tile installations, repairs and replacements. Since they haven’t been around long, it is hard to find dependable roofers that offer solar tile installations.

The cost of solar tile installations is usually a little more expensive than other options. Not only are the cost of the tiles slightly higher than other roofing materials, but the lack of professionals that can install this roof type makes it easier for the roofers that can install it, to raise the cost for installation.

In order for solar tiles to work at their full potential, they must remain free from debris, dust and other hindrances. This requires routine maintenance by a professional roofer since you cannot walk on top of a solar tile roof.

Strong winds and hail can cause damage to the solar tiles easily if they are directly impacted. You may notice an increase in your insurance rate.

Solar tiles are absolutely not a do-it-yourself project. You must allow an experienced roofer to do the job or it is likely your solar tiles won’t function to their potential.

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